Method for categorization of multiple providers in a wireless communication service environment

Abstract

A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 storing, by a wireless communication device, a frequency search schedule, wherein the frequency search schedule comprises a plurality of frequency bands in an order, wherein the order is based upon count values of a number of times of previous registrations of the wireless communication device with a respective wireless service provider of a plurality of service providers operating within each of the plurality of frequency bands; 
 examining, by the wireless communication device, in the order specified by the frequency search schedule, the plurality of frequency bands until a service provider control channel of the respective wireless service provider is located within one of the plurality of frequency bands; and 
 registering, by the wireless communication device, with the respective wireless service provider of the service provider control channel. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing a plurality of counters representing the count values of the number of times of the previous registrations with each frequency band of the frequency search schedule. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 incrementing a counter of the plurality of counters corresponding to a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands of the frequency search schedule upon a registration with any wireless service provider within the frequency band; and 
 adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the frequency band. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the information relates to frequency bands that have previously been searched. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the examining the plurality of examining frequency bands comprises first examining a frequency band that had carried communications of a wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device, if the wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device was an optimal wireless service provider. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a mobile telephone. 
     
     
       8. A wireless communication device comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 storing a frequency search schedule, wherein the frequency search schedule comprises a plurality of frequency bands in an order, wherein the order is based upon count values of a number of times of previous registrations of the wireless communication device with a respective wireless service provider of a plurality of service providers operating within each of the plurality of frequency bands; 
 examining in the order specified by the frequency search schedule, the plurality of frequency bands until a service provider control channel of the respective wireless service provider is located within one of the plurality of frequency bands; and 
 registering with the respective wireless service provider of the service provider control channel. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The wireless communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing a plurality of counters representing the count values of the number of times of the previous registrations with each frequency band of the frequency search schedule. 
 
     
     
       10. The wireless communication device of  claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 incrementing a counter of the plurality of counters corresponding to a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands of the frequency search schedule upon a registration with any wireless service provider within that the frequency band; and 
 adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the frequency band. 
 
     
     
       11. The wireless communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface. 
 
     
     
       12. The wireless communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the information relates to frequency bands that have previously been searched. 
     
     
       13. The wireless communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the examining the plurality of examining frequency bands comprises first examining a frequency band that had carried communications of a wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device, if the wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device was an optimal wireless service provider. 
     
     
       14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of a wireless communication device, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 storing a frequency search schedule, wherein the frequency search schedule comprises a plurality of frequency bands in an order, wherein the order is based upon count values of a number of times of previous registrations of the wireless communication device with a respective wireless service provider of a plurality of service providers operating within each of the plurality of frequency bands; 
 examining in the order specified by the frequency search schedule, the plurality of frequency bands until a service provider control channel of the respective wireless service provider is located within one of the plurality of frequency bands; and 
 registering with the respective wireless service provider of the service provider control channel. 
 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing a plurality of counters representing the count values of the number of times of the previous registrations with each frequency band of the frequency search schedule. 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise;
 incrementing a counter of the plurality of counters corresponding to a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands of the frequency search schedule upon a registration with any wireless service provider within the frequency band; and 
 adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the frequency band. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprise;
 modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface. 
 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the information relates to frequency bands that have previously been searched. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the examining the plurality of examining frequency bands comprises first examining a frequency band that had carried communications of a wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device, if the wireless service provider last used by the wireless communication device was an optimal wireless service provider. 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a mobile telephone.